Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for suspicion of drug trafficking this week following a traffic stop near Tussing Park. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a vehicle driven by the 42-year-old woman near the corner of West Park and Short streets shortly before midnight on Monday. Police did not say why they stopped the woman, but confirmed that she was placed into custody because of an ongoing narcotics investigation. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Manufacture and Delivery of Fentanyl as well as Felony Possession of Fentanyl. She was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police jailed an Illinois Valley man on an outstanding felony warrant this week following a traffic stop in Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Ford F-350 pickup driven by the 47-year-old Cave Junction man on Redwood Highway near Laurel Drive around midday Monday. State troopers said they stopped the man for observed traffic violations and they quickly discovered that he was wanted on a felony warrant for absconding on his parole from a previous conviction for an unspecified crime. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His vehicle was released to a licensed driver.

 

Two men were arrested just minutes apart this week for trespassing at coffee-related businesses in downtown Grants Pass. The Grants Pass Police Department reports the first incident occurred early Monday morning at Dutch Bros headquarters on SW 4th Street. Police said a Dutch Bros employee reported a male transient sleeping behind the building next to the picnic tables in the covered break area of the facility. The caller said they asked the man to leave last Friday, but he had returned. Officers placed the 46-year-old man into custody, charged him with Criminal Trespass and lodged him in jail. The second incident occurred early Monday morning at the Human Bean stand at the Riverway on SE 7th Street. Police said a 30-year-old man was asked to leave the Human Bean property and he refused. They said he returned multiple times and asked the young female worker to expose herself to him. He also checked the employee's vehicle and returned to the stand where he peered into the window after pounding on the back door. He was placed into custody, charged with Criminal Trespass and lodged in jail.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on an ordinance amending the Rural Land Development Code during its weekly business session this morning. The Board will hold the hearing on the first reading of an ordinance designed to update development code definitions and the chapter concerning rural residential zones. If approved, a second reading and adoption is set for April 24th. There are no Administrative Action items on the agenda for the meeting, which will begin with the monthly recognition of employees. As usual, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when participants are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was honored with the 2023 Oregon DUII Enforcement Agency of the Year Award in a ceremony last week. The award came from the Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force in recognition for outstanding professional achievement in the deterrence and prevention of impaired driving in the state. This award highlighted the Sheriff's Office comprehensive approach to ensuring road safety and reducing DUII incidents within Jackson County. In 2023, the Sheriff's Patrol Division -- which was comprised of approximately 40 sworn personnel -- was responsible for 1,032 crash investigations, 367 DUII arrests and 13,526 traffic stops. Beyond DUII enforcement, Jackson County has adopted a strategy to prevent DUIIs, emphasizing strong community ties and proactive education. These efforts include the launch of a Citizen Recognition Program to honor and encourage public involvement in identifying impaired drivers, enhancing collaborations with emergency response teams, and the delivery of extensive educational programs targeting various community segments. The Sheriff's Office also places a significant emphasis on law enforcement training including refreshers on field sobriety testing, advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement and specialized courses on drug influence evaluation.

 

AllCare Health is pleased to announce a $200,000 grant award to CASA of Oregon for a significant housing project in Josephine County. This grant is for the preservation of a 110-space co-op manufactured home park in Grants Pass. AllCare officials said they are proud to support CASA of Oregon as a pioneering leader in services that improve community economic and housing stability while reducing the burden of homelessness and housing insecurity. This project supports members of AllCare Health's Coordinated Care Organization, low-income community members, tribal community members, and particularly community members experiencing economic and housing instability along with behavioral health challenges. AllCare Health is an innovative, physician-owned and locally-operated healthcare organization. The grant is part of AllCare's pledge of $2.7 million this year for improving the health and well-being of all Southern Oregon communities. CASA of Oregon is a non-profit community partner with AllCare providing housing stability for individuals and families throughout the state.

 

The Grants Pass Public Works Department is pleased to announce the annual Water Quality Report for 2023 is ready for public viewing. The purpose of this Consumer Confidence Report is to improve public health by providing information to allow customers to make educated decisions regarding any potential health risks regarding the quality, treatment and management of the Grants Pass drinking water supply. The report is required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to provide detailed information about the quality of local drinking water. Grants Pass Public Works Director Jason Canady said it's also an opportunity for the City to provide you with information on where your water comes from, how it is treated, and what is done to ensure it remains clean, fresh and safe. To view the 2023 Water Quality Report, visit "grantspassoregon.gov." If you would prefer to have a printed report mailed to you, please call the Public Works administration office at (541)-450-6110.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on an ordinance amending the Rural Land Development Code during its weekly business session tomorrow morning. The Board will hold the hearing on the first reading of an ordinance designed to update development code definitions and the chapter concerning rural residential zones. If approved, a second reading and adoption is set for April 24th. There are no Administrative Action items on the agenda for the meeting, which will begin with the monthly recognition of employees. As usual, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when participants are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

The Oregon State Police jailed an Illinois Valley man on an outstanding felony warrant yesterday following a traffic stop in Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Ford F-350 pickup driven by the 47-year-old Cave Junction man on Redwood Highway near Laurel Drive on Monday around 11:30 a.m.. State troopers said they stopped the man for observed traffic violations and they quickly discovered that he was wanted on a felony warrant for absconding on his parole from a previous conviction for an unspecified crime. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His vehicle was released to a licensed driver.